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Special Features
- The Art of The Sting - A Retrospective on the making of The Sting
- Theatrical Trailer
- Production Notes
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential video
Winner of seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Director, and Screenplay, this critical and box-office hit from 1973 provided a perfect reunion for director George Roy Hill and stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford, who previously delighted audiences with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Set in 1936, the movie's about a pair of Chicago con artists (Newman and Redford) who find themselves in a high-stakes game against the master of all cheating mobsters (Robert Shaw) when they set out to avenge the murder of a mutual friend and partner. Using a bogus bookie joint as a front for their con of all cons, the two feel the heat from the Chicago Mob on one side and encroaching police on the other. But in a plot that contains more twists than a treacherous mountain road, the ultimate scam is pulled off with consummate style and panache. It's an added bonus that Newman and Redford were box-office kings at the top of their game, and while Shaw broods intensely as the Runyonesque villain, The Sting is further blessed by a host of great supporting players including Dana Elcar, Eileen Brennan, Ray Walston, Charles Durning, and Harold Gould. Thanks to the flavorful music score by Marvin Hamlisch, this was also the movie that sparked a nationwide revival of Scott Joplin's ragtime jazz, which is featured prominently on the soundtrack. One of the most entertaining movies of the early 1970s, The Sting is a welcome throwback to Hollywood's golden age of the '30s that hasn't lost any of its popular charm. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Paul Newman, Robert Redford. Two Chicago con men hatch a plan to outwit a big-time New York crime lord when he has one of their buddies killed. Won the Oscar for Best Picture. Digitally remastered. 1973/color/129 min/PG/widescreen.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
137 of 145 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I just bought this DVD for my father because this movie IS a classic, no matter what anyone says. But, when it came in the mail, I was surprised to see "Full Screen" on the front of the box. So I did what many of you did NOT do (with the exception of reviewer cammonro dated Sept 2, 2003), I went to the Universal web site and emailed their Home Entertainment division.
From Universal Studios Home Entertainment:
'The Sting' is only available on DVD in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio, which in this case displays the same picture information side-to-side as was seen theatrically. Also, more information is shown top-to-bottom than in the theatrical version because of the way the film was originally shot.
One process used in creating movies for theatrical exhibition is to place 'mattes' over the top and bottom of the 35 mm film frame to alter the aspect ratio to 1.85:1 'Widescreen.' To avoid black letterboxing bars on the top and bottom of the picture when it is displayed on standard television, the original mattes are removed in a process known as 'Open Matte.' (This is not to be confused with 'Pan & Scan,' a completely different process of transferring film to Video and DVD.) 'Open Matte' was used with in the production of 'The Sting.'
SO THERE YOU HAVE IT. For all of you complaining about how this DVD is PAN-AND-SCAN, you are WRONG. And for all of you still waiting for WIDESCREEN, you ALREADY HAVE IT with this DVD if you understand what Universal is saying above; you are actually seeing MORE than what you'd see in the theater version because of the "Open Matte" process Universal used, NOT pan-and-scan.
If anyone begs to differ with these facts, argue with the source, Universal.
From Universal Studios Home Entertainment:
'The Sting' is only available on DVD in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio, which in this case displays the same picture information side-to-side as was seen theatrically. Also, more information is shown top-to-bottom than in the theatrical version because of the way the film was originally shot.
One process used in creating movies for theatrical exhibition is to place 'mattes' over the top and bottom of the 35 mm film frame to alter the aspect ratio to 1.85:1 'Widescreen.' To avoid black letterboxing bars on the top and bottom of the picture when it is displayed on standard television, the original mattes are removed in a process known as 'Open Matte.' (This is not to be confused with 'Pan & Scan,' a completely different process of transferring film to Video and DVD.) 'Open Matte' was used with in the production of 'The Sting.'
SO THERE YOU HAVE IT. For all of you complaining about how this DVD is PAN-AND-SCAN, you are WRONG. And for all of you still waiting for WIDESCREEN, you ALREADY HAVE IT with this DVD if you understand what Universal is saying above; you are actually seeing MORE than what you'd see in the theater version because of the "Open Matte" process Universal used, NOT pan-and-scan.
If anyone begs to differ with these facts, argue with the source, Universal.
441 of 482 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Please stop whining about this DVD's aspect ratio. It's not "full-screen." It's widescreen with the original top and bottom sections restored.
According to film historian David P. Hayes, THE STING was filmed in 4:3 (equivalent to "full-screen") ratio because director George Roy Hill wanted it to look like an old movie. The studio (and/or the exhibitors) apparently had second thoughts about it, though, so theatrically-released prints had the top and bottom sections blocked ("matted") to fit the widescreen format.
What you see on this DVD is not "pan and scan" (with missing left and right content), but the original format with the top and bottom restored.
(...)
30 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:HD DVD
Honestly i've seen better HD DVD's but still this one is remastered like crazy,its a hell of alot clearer than the original dvd release and its amazing to see what they can do with movies such as old as this one. I mean 1973 this movie comes out and after watching the HD DVD you would think it was a new release. All in all to keep this short this is an amazing film and you should pick it up on HD DVD right now!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Content with DVD release
First bought single disc "full frame", then bought the "Legacy Series" widescreen version, which I just revisited tonite. Read more
Published 26 days ago by Jrum C.
A classic
The Sting" is the 1973 comedy caper from George Roy Hill that cemented the A list status of stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Dr. James Gardner
Great movie!
This is one of my favorite movies ever. The plot and the acting is second to none. I'm a huge fan of both Robert Redford and Paul Newman.
Published 1 month ago by Jane Cooke
The Great Grifters!
Complex plot, A-list actors, and the director and cinematography of master craftsmen: a formula for success and great entertainment. Read more
Published 1 month ago by No longer in OZ!
A five star treat
The Sting revolves around an elaborate con trick or sting, by a stella cast of varied hustlers lead by Newman and Redford in another memorable cinematic partnership. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ctwilliams
The Cleverness of the Sting
The Sting is a very witty film of the 70s, with a great cast (Paul Newman, Robert Redford.) This is one of my favorite movies, but this DVD is in wide-screen format, which is not... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Black Plum
The Sting
I ordered the movie was for a friend...he loves it! I couldn't have asked for service from the seller, who was very prompt.
Published 4 months ago by Ruth S. Scott
THE STING
THIS MOVIE IS A CLASSIC YOU CAN APPRECIATE.
FINE ACTING BY PAUL NEWMAN AND ROBERT REDFORD WITH LOTS OF ACTION. YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THIS ONE
FINE ACTING BY PAUL NEWMAN AND ROBERT REDFORD WITH LOTS OF ACTION. YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THIS ONE
Published 4 months ago by Doreen
classic movie
Product arrived in great shape as advertised. No delays. Great movie, enjoyed it. It truly is a classic film with great actors.
Published 7 months ago by Marc Harrelle
The Sting
This is one of my all time favorite movies. One that never (for me) seems to get old. I highly recommend it!
Published 12 months ago by Mopar75
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